NORTH PLAINFIELD -- Troy Crane threatened to rob a bank, then made a cry for help.

Troy Crane (Somerset County Prosecutor's Office)

Crane, 56, of Plainfield told police he threatened to rob a bank if a teller didn't cash a personal check because he wanted to go to jail in order to get treatment to help end his drug addiction.

After Crane received money from the teller, he reportedly sat down in a chair in the bank and, moments later, walked back to the teller, returned the money and asked "how long will the cops take to get here?" authorities said.

"I've had people who are struggling and do not have insurance or the resources to pay for addiction treatment and it seems if you're involved in the criminal system, you have easier access," said Robert J. Budsock, CEO of Integrity House, one of the largest addiction treatment centers in the state based primarily in Newark and Secaucus with approximately 400 beds.

"There are a limited number of treatment beds available for individuals not involved in the criminal justice system. That number hasn't grown in the past several years but with the increase we're seen in heroin addiction there has been more of a demand."

The affidavit didn't indicate what drug Crane was addicted to, and because of the federal HIPAA law, authorities couldn't provide that information. But his addiction apparently drove him to desperate measures on Aug. 12 when he walked in a Valley National Bank on Route 22 East in North Plainfield.

Somerset County Sheriff Frank J. Provenzano, who runs the county jail, where Crane is being held, said when an inmate enters the jail, and needs drug treatment, it is immediately provided.

"We ensure that an inmate who needs any type of medical treatment is given that needed treatment," said Provenzano. "The first step is an inmate is seen by our medical department and if the nurse feels he needs further treatment he'll be taken to Robert Wood Johnson University in Somerset to be seen by a doctor."

Crane is currently being held in the jail, which has its own medical facility. He has applied for a public defender, said Todd Hess, the deputy public defender of Somerset County.

Once a public defender is appointed and becomes familiar with the case, he or she will help Crane explore treatment options, said Hess. Among those options is drug court.

At Integrity House, only 100 to 150 of their approximately 400 beds are available for people who are outside of the criminal justice system - the majority are reserved for those in drug court, said Budsock.

Insurance companies are notoriously tight when it comes to paying for substance abuse treatment, said Budsock.

"The only insurance many indigent individuals have is Medicaid and it won't always pay for substance abuse treatment," said Budsock. "In 1965, Medicaid passed a rule saying institutions for mental disorders with more than 16 beds aren't eligible to receive Medicaid reimbursement for those who don't have insurance. It's something we need to repeal."

Budsock said he has seen drug addicts resort to desperate measures to seek help but threatening to rob a bank is out of the ordinary.

"I think what happens is when someone is in the grips of addiction they become desperate and aren't thinking," said Budsock. "They make a lot of poor decisions. Reality to him becomes it's easier to get a bed if you're arrested.

"That's pretty outrageous walking into a bank. This is an example of a loud cry for help."